Marcos vows swift probe into Ateneo shooting

MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. vowed on Sunday a thorough investigation into the Ateneo shooting, which killed at least three people, including a former Basilan City mayor.

This, as the President mourned with the bereaved families of Rosita Furigay, former mayor of Lamitan City in Basilan province; Victor George Capistrano, the executive assistant of Furigay; and a certain Bandiola Jeneven.

Hannait, reportedly Furigay’s daughter who was supposed to join the graduation ceremony of the School of Law at the Areté complex inside the Ateneo de Manila University campus in Quezon City, is undergoing treatment.

“We commit our law enforcement agencies to thoroughly and swiftly investigate these killings and bring all involved to justice,” Marcos said in a statement on his official Facebook page.

Marcos stated that he is shocked and saddened by the shooting incident that happened at about 2:55 p.m.

“Our prayers go to the graduates, their families, the Ateneo community, and to the residents of Quezon City and Basilan,” Marcos said.

Furigay was shot as he went to the lobby of one of the school’s buildings, where the graduation ceremony for Ateneo Law students was to take place.

She was confirmed dead with Capistrano in the hospital.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) identified the alleged gunman as Dr. Chao-Tiao Yumol, 38, and a resident of Basilan.

The Ateneo Law School’s graduation ceremony was supposed to take place, but it was canceled following the shooting because the university was placed under lockdown.

Inappropriate

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles, meanwhile, said a prboe will be conducted and appropriate action will be taken regarding the tweet of a certain Den Macaranas, allegedly a desk editor at state-run People’s Television Network.

“Nagbarilan na yata ang mga Pinklawan at Dilawan (I think the Pinklawan and Dilawan are engaged in shooting spree) @ateneo,” Macaranas posted on Twitter at 4:15 p.m., referring to the political colors of the opposition.

“Pursuant to this, we called the attention of officials at PTV to investigate the matter. We assure the public that if true, we will take the appropriate action,” Cruz-Angeles said in a statement.

Probe

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte condemned the shooting and expressed condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed.

“We strongly denounce the shooting incident at the Ateneo de Manila University. This kind of incident has no place in our society and must be condemned to the highest level,” Belmonte said in a statement.

Her office requested the Quezon City Police District to continue investigating this incident and ensure that swift justice be attained by the victims and their families.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) also condemned the shooting incident.

“The DILG sincerely sympathizes with the family of the victims of this unfortunate incident as we assure them that we will strengthen the case against the suspect, file the necessary charges, and ensure that the suspect will languish behind bars,” the DILG statement read.

The DILG lauded the Quezon City Police District and the Anonas Police Station for their “prompt arrest of the suspect due to their swift action”.